American Martyrs class of 1970: Reunited
The American Martyrs eighth grade class of 1970.
It was a nostalgic Saturday night at Breakwall in Redondo Beach.
Remember when the girls had to kneel down to make sure their skirts were long enough to touch the floor? Or when those four grade-school boys drank altar wine? Or how many hearts the token popular girl broke?
On Saturday, the American Martyrs Catholic School eighth-grade graduating class of 1970 asked these questions at their 41st-year reunion. Fifty-five out of 102 classmates attended, including one that flew in from Japan and others from Idaho, Colorado, Arkansas and Texas. One woman, Diane Becker, even canceled a vacation to Hawaii to attend.
“I have not seen anyone in 41 years, so when I got this, I’m like, yes, I’m going,” said Geraradette Bartz, a Torrance resident, adding, “a lot of people didn’t recognize me at all.” Since grade school, she’s gone from blonde to brunette.
A tall man walked by and Bartz squinted to see his nametag. “Oh, I recognize that name,” she muttered.
Grace Welch – not only a former student but also a mother of four whose kids have attended American Martyrs in Manhattan Beach for 18 years – exchanged stories with Bartz. Welch remembered a student fainting at Friday mass.
“It was probably me,” Bartz said, laughing.
Since it had been four decades for many, each attendee wore a name tag with their grade school name (maiden names are used in this article) and their old yearbook photograph.
Tom Logan flew in from Japan, jetlagged but waking up in time for the reunion. Logan hadn’t been out of Japan since the earthquake and said the reunion was scheduled during the perfect time for him to take a vacation. “(We were) able to take a break from the havoc and aftershocks in Japan, and at the same time, be with people I haven’t seen in a long time,” he said.
For others, it hadn’t been so long. Kathy Hickey and Brian Sisson met in first grade – they graduated eighth grade together and immediately lost touch. They met again at a volleyball tournament during their junior year of high school and started dating. About five years later, they got married, and have been together ever since.
Laura DeMarco noted that the class shares a special bond. “We lost touch, but we always cared about each other,” she said.
The American Martyrs eigth grade class of 1970 now. PHOTO BY ALENE TCHEKMEDYIAN